ICONS OF HOPE: Veck Arjona and Tina Villasis

VECK ARJONA
Volunteer, Advocacy Committee, ICanServe Foundation
TINA VILLASIS
Volunteer, ICanServe Foundation

“What started as our journey of fear and uncertainty has turned into our mission of hope, healing, and advocacy.”

Breast cancer has touched two generations of women in our family. It started with our mother (then in her 70s) in the year 2000, then my sister and I both received the same diagnosis several years later (twice for Tina). With each diagnosis, it was a challenging time for us and our family… Like our mother, my sister and I faced moments of fear, doubt, and vulnerability.

As devastated as we were, we quickly realized that we were not alone in this battle. We leaned on each other, shared our experiences, and found strength together… These experiences also taught us the importance of vigilance when it comes to our health. We have been diligent in our routine annual check-ups… We urge women to perform regular breast self-examinations and schedule mammograms as recommended. Breast cancer does not have to be a death sentence —early detection and timely treatment can make all the difference.

(Veck Arjona) After completing my treatment, I decided to join the ICanServe Foundation as a volunteer in 2009 and started sharing my cancer journey at ICanServe’s “Ating Dibdibin” program in different municipalities like Taguig and Muntinlupa. Through the Foundation, we worked together with other breast cancer survivors to spread the message that early detection can save lives. As a volunteer, I have had the privilege of knowing many inspiring women who are equally committed to this advocacy, making it their mission to empower other women with knowledge and helping break the stigma surrounding breast cancer.

(Tina Villasis): Because of routine check-ups and breast self-exams, we both caught our cancers early, just as our mother had. The ICanServe Foundation had a significant impact in my life as a cancer survivor and so with my sister. I decided to be an ICanServe volunteer because I have seen its purpose and goal in helping the patients, survivors, and their families on how to cope with the illness. By sharing our story, we hope to inspire others- to take charge of their health, support the fight against breast cancer so that no one will walk this path alone.

#ICSat25
#SurvivorStories

Photos by: Miko Montifar and Annabelle Chavez

Icons of Hope is a social media campaign that features cancer survivors who share their own stories, learnings and the lives they now live. It is part of ICANSERVE Foundation’s 25th anniversary celebration in collaboration with Camera Club of the Philippines. With thanks to Owen Santos and Zonia Bandoy.